Who's who
Our Board of Directors
Geraldine Kelly (Chairperson)
Geraldine Kelly is a management consultant. Geraldine works with clients to develop and execute a business strategy to support organic growth or to assist them in identifying new business opportunities. Geraldine previously worked as Chief Operating Officer of the Irish Management Institute. She was also previously Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Thomson Netg Inc. She is on the Board of Directors of the Tyndall Institute, a research institute linked to University College Cork.
Geraldine is also on the Board of Directors of Haptica International Ltd, a medical devices company for which she previously served as the Interim CEO. She is a Senior Associate of Corporate Lifecycles, a Member of Institute of Management Consultants in Ireland and a Member of American Chamber of Commerce. She also serves Enterprise Ireland as a Member of their Mentor Panel. She is a member of Plan Ireland’s Fundraising board sub-committee and she has been on the Board of Directors of Plan Ireland since January 2008.
Ray Bowe
Ray Bowe is Head of Customer Service & Operations in New Ireland Life Assurance. He was previously the Head of Business Change & Strategy for Bank of Ireland's Wealth Management division.
Ray has over 20 years experience in the Life and Pensions industry and has also held senior management roles in Sales and IT. Ray is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, holding a MSc. in Business Administration. Ray has been on the Board of Directors of Plan Ireland since April 2007.
Robert Cave
Robert Cave is corporate finance partner and founder of Kilriver Capital LLP. Kilriver LLP is a corporate development and corporate finance boutique serving clients across Europe and has annual revenue in excess of STG£10m. Previous to this,
Robert was Corporate Finance Director of Mazars Ireland. Robert was also CEO of Interglobe PLC, then the UK’s largest calling card company and he was Managing Director of Lenta Ventures a venture capital fund. Robert has an MBA from Cranfield School of Management in Bradford where he currently lectures. Robert is based in the UK and is a registered representative of the UK Stock Exchange. Robert has been on the Board of Directors of Plan Ireland since February 2010.
Jane Clare
Jane Clare was on the Board of Directors of Plan UK for 7 years between May 1999 and May 2006. She is a published writer and a graduate of UCD. Jane was one of the founders of Plan Ireland in 2003 and was chairperson until 2011.
Jane is a member of Plan International’s highest governing body, the Members’ Assembly and is also the chairperson of the Members’ Assembly Nominating and Governance Committee.
Mary Corbett
Mary Corbett is an independent nutrition and food security professional. She was previously Concern Worldwide’s Nutrition Adviser and has also previously worked for Oxfam and GOAL. She has extensive experience of living in many countries across Africa and Asia.
Mary has provided consultancy services to Irish Aid, Action Contre la Faim, the British Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross, Save the Children, DFID, UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, the Emergency Nutrition Network and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Mary has been a guest lecturer on Masters Degree programmes in University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and the London School of Tropical Medicine. She has also published academic articles on infant feeding, HIV/AIDS and food aid. She is a member of the Infant feeding in Emergencies (IFE) working group and the Nutrition Society, UK. She is a member of Plan Ireland’s Programme Review board sub-committee and has been on the Board of Directors of Plan Ireland since November 2003.
Margaret Gilsenan
Margaret Gilsenan is an experienced marketing professional. She was previously Planning Director with McConnells Advertising agency. She is currently a Director of Boys and Girls, a creative agency which she co-founded.
Margaret was on the Council of the Market Research Society for four years; two as honorary secretary and two as treasurer. She is a member of Plan Ireland’s Fundraising board sub-committee and she has been on the Board of Directors of Plan Ireland since September 2004.
Harry Goddard
Harry Goddard is a Chartered Accountant and an International Development Consultant. His recent clients include Atos Origin, International Development Ireland, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cowi and Grant Thornton. Harry has extensive overseas experience having worked in China, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Lithuania, Serbia, Kosovo and Burkina Faso.
Harry has consulted on projects funded by the World Bank, EU Tacis, DFID and the Asian Development Bank. Previously Harry was a partner in a firm of UK Chartered Accountants. He worked as Senior Financial Advisor to the Irish Industrial Development Authority. He subsequently set up and was the managing director of an international reinsurance company for 28 major US multinationals. He also founded and was the managing director of an international financial service company which became part of a privately owned group employing 40 people and earning annual profits in excess of US$21m. Harry is currently the Treasurer of CONCORD, the European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development. Harry is also a director of Overseas Education Services, an overseas volunteering organisation. He is a member of Plan Ireland’s Finance board sub-committee and he has been on the Board of Directors of Plan Ireland since January 2008. Harry currently serves as the Treasurer of Plan Ireland.
Shane Nolan
Shane Nolan is the Country Manager for large customer sales for Google Ireland. This is a senior management position in Google's UK & Ireland market, responsible for assisting the growth and business development needs of over 2,500 small to medium sized businesses. Shane has over 16 years experience in the online, IT and global telecommunications industries, having held a variety of senior management positions with Fujitsu, BT and Eircom.
Shane has extensive UK business experience. Shane has previously served on the board of Buy4Now Ltd, Ireland's leading online retailer. Shane is a graduate of University College Galway and Leeds Metropolitan University. He is a member of Plan Ireland’s Fundraising board sub-committee and he has been on the Board of Directors of Plan Ireland since October 2007.
Muireann O’Briain
Muireann is a lawyer specialising in Children’s Rights. She practiced at the Bar in Ireland for 28 years as Junior and Senior Counsel. She was the legal advisor to the Labour Court for ten years. Muireann has been the Executive Director of ECPAT International (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking), and was also the CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. She has just completed a three-year term as a member of the EU Expert Group on Trafficking in Human Beings.
Muireann is a former president of the Irish United Nations Association, and a former Board member of UNICEF Ireland. She is currently on the Boards of the Irish Centre for Parentally Abducted Children and ECPAT France. She has published a wide range of academic papers and articles on human rights issues, and has been involved in projects for Defence for Children (Netherlands), Save the Children (Norway), UNICEF (Moldova), the World Tourism Organisation, and ECPAT International. Muireann currently works as the Legal and Insurance Manager for St James Hospital in Dublin.
Our Staff
Chief Executive Officer
David’s background was originally in business. After studying for a Commerce degree in NUIG he worked in a variety of roles including that of Marketing Executive at The Shelbourne Hotel.
A keen traveller, David took in a round the world trip which led to a Masters in Development Studies in UCD. He then worked in IT before commencing work for the humanitarian agency GOAL in Ethiopia where he met his wife, Rahel. On his return to Ireland he became HR Manager for GOAL’s worldwide operations. He took over as CEO of Plan Ireland in July 2007 and is also on Plan International’s Global Leadership Team.
David is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development and serves on the board of Dóchas, the Irish association of non-governmental development organisations.
Originally from Limerick, married with four children, David is an avid Munster rugby fan but can also be found in Naomh Olaf GAA club and Lakelands FC coaching the Under 8 teams.
Programme Manager
Damien, from Inagh in Co. Clare, joined Plan Ireland as Programme Manager in January 2008. Graduating from UCD with a Masters in Economics in 1999, he spent two years working in AIB Bankcentre in Ballsbridge. In October 2001 he took a career break from AIB and volunteered in India and Uganda for two years.
Captivated by his experiences in these countries, Damien decided to leave banking permanently and joined GOAL in 2004 where he spent the next four years working in DR Congo, Niger and Darfur.
As Head of Programmes for Plan Ireland, Damien is keen to build on Plan’s work in tackling the many issues faced by children, especially girls and other vulnerable groups in Plan Ireland’s programme countries.
Outside of work Damien enjoys reading, playing a little tennis, swimming and travelling. He also enjoys Clare hurling and Munster rugby!
Financial Controller
Nenagh native, Donal, is one of the more experienced Plan Ireland staff, joining the organisation in 2006.
Prior to Plan, Donal spent several years in an accountancy firm in Edinburgh before deciding to make the jump back across the pond. During his time in Plan Ireland, Donal has made several trips to West Africa, overseeing Irish contributions to our field offices.
Outside Plan, Donal enjoys movies, (watching!) football and travel.
Please contact Donal on 01-6599 601 with any finance queries you may have.
Head of Marketing & Sponsorship
Mike Mansfield
Originally from Ballinasloe in Co. Galway, Mike joined Plan Ireland three and a half years ago. Graduating with a degree in History and French, Mike took the (natural!) step into Public Relations in 1999 and works on accounts such as Meteor, Coca Cola, Lee Jeans and Becks. From there, Mike moved into telecoms, working for eircom for over 8 years where he latterly headed up the Training and Sales Support function in eircom's Business Market division.
A growing interest in matters humanitarian, saw Mike take the step into the NGO sector and joined Plan Ireland in January 2009. In February of that year, Mike visited Plan Ireland's projects in Togo in West Africa where he witnessed, first hand, the resilience of a people struggling to get by, but so determined to do so. In the intervening years he has been "amazed" by the impact Plan is making in the lives of the millions of children and is committed to supporting Plan's promise to these children and to the sponsors and donors who give so generously.
Outside of Plan Ireland, Mike enjoys tennis, surfing and 'watching' rugby!
To get in touch with Mike in relation to Marketing or Child Sponsorship, please do so on 01-6599 601 or drop him a mail at: mike.mansfield@plan-international.org
Marketing Manager
Jessica Majekodunmi
Jessica joined Plan in September 2010 with a strong background in marketing, communications and fundraising. She holds an honours BA in English Studies which she received from Trinity College Dublin as well as Diplomas in Event Management, Marketing, Advertising and PR.
Having being involved with not-for-profit organisations since 2002, previous positions include Communications Manager with MEAS/drinkaware.ie and Media Relations Manager with Special Olympics Ireland. Jessica also presented and produced ‘SO Unlimited’ on a voluntary basis, a weekly half hour talk show dedicated to Special Olympics Ireland on Dublin City FM.
Jessica has travelled extensively, most recently she spent two years exploring Central and South America by bus, boat, train and foot. Jessica is a qualified FAI referee and an avid Stoke City supporter (bless her). Of her prowess as a player in a ladies team she says: “Just like the club I support – what I lack in skill I make up for in enthusiasm”.
To get in touch with Jessica in relation to anything regarding marketing, fundraising or PR, please do so on 01-6599 601 or drop her a mail at: jessica.majekodunmi@plan-international.org
Media & Communications Officer
Sarah Harte
Sarah joined the Plan Ireland team in January 2011 as Media & Communications Officer. Sarah’s background is in marketing, communications and PR for the not for profit and corporate sector.
Sarah holds a BA in International Business & Languages (German/French) from Dublin City University. During this time she spent one year in Germany where she completed her thesis in German. In 2005, Sarah was placed on the IBEC Export Orientation Programme shortlist and took up a marketing position in Tourism Ireland’s Brussels office. On returning to Dublin she joined Business in the Community Ireland, where she worked for over three years in a marketing and communications role. Sarah also completed a Diploma in Public Relations and Event Management, receiving the PRII Student of the Year award for highest results achieved.
Sarah is from the north side of Dublin and enjoys travelling, learning languages, and all things to do with the arts & culture. Sarah has worked with the ISPCC’s Childline service since 2005 and has volunteered in various other community and arts organisations.
To contact Sarah in relation to media and PR, give her a call on 01 6599 601 or drop her a mail at sarah.harte@plan-international.org
Development Education and Campaigns Officer
Marguerite Gallagher
Marguerite is from Dublin and joined Plan Ireland in December 2010 as Development Education and Campaigns officer.
She recently completed a Masters in Development in Kimmage Development Studies Centre and her thesis was entitled ‘Through a different lens: the potential impact of development education on a short term volunteer.’ Marguerite worked with short-term volunteer sending organisations from 2003 until 2010 in a training and logistical capacity. This involved frequent travel to both South Africa and Haiti. In February 2010, she moved to Port au Prince, Haiti with the NGO Haven to work manage logistics for the emergency response team in the wake of the earthquake.
In her spare time, Marguerite enjoys reading, travelling and attempting to train for marathons.
To contact Margurite, drop her an email on marguerite.gallagher@plan-international.org
Sponsorship Officer
A native of Dublin, Claire joined Plan Ireland in October 2006 as part of the Sponsorship Team. Before working in Plan Ireland, Claire worked in the financial services sector. With a background in History & Politics, Claire has always had an interest in international relations and humanitarian issues and finally decided to make the transition from the financial sector to the NGO sector in 2006. Claire also has a keen interest in event management and volunteering and supports the Plan Ireland volunteers in our office.
Outside of Plan Ireland, Claire practices yoga and pilates and enjoys going to gigs.
To contact Claire you can email: claire.byrne@plan-international.org or call her directly at 01 659 9601 with any sponsorship queries you may have.
Sponsorship Officer
Niamh Sheehan
Cork girl Niamh (Fermoy to be exact) joined the Plan Ireland team in July 2009. Graduating with a degree in European Studies from UCC, Niamh recently completed a Masters in Development Studies and brings to Plan a wealth of finance and administration experience.
Outside of Plan, Niamh is quite the active type and enjoys yoga, hill walking and cookery.
Please contact Niamh at niamh.sheehan@plan-international.org or on 01-6599 601 with any sponsorship or finance queries you may have.
Head of Development Programming & Grants
Séverine Meyer
Prior to joining Plan Ireland in June 2009, Severine spent time working in the Middle East and Southern Africa. Her experience spans over a wide range of themes in both emergencies and development contexts, including food security, cash-for-work programmes, vocational education and development of employment services.
Deputy Financial Controller
Michael Moriarty
Originally from Monaghan town, Michael joined Plan Ireland as Compliance and Finance Officer in January 2010.
Having studied accounting and finance in Dublin City University, Michael trained as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dublin. In 2008 he left his job as Tax Manager in PwC in order to volunteer for a year with GOAL in Sudan.
Michael’s focus is on the finances of Plan projects supported by the EU and Irish Aid. He helps to ensure that the projects are carried out in line with EU and Irish Aid regulations, and assists in managing the expenditure of these grants. Michael splits his time between Plan’s office on Baggot Street and the various countries where EU and Irish Aid supported projects take place; mostly in West Africa.
Michael has a keen interest in politics and current affairs. While in DCU Michael regularly took part in competitive debating; and he still occasionally judges and coaches college debates.
Disaster Risk Management Co-ordinator & WaSH Advisor
Dualta Roughneen
Mayo man Dualta Roughneen joined Plan Ireland’s Programmes Department in September 2009. Having graduated from NUI, Galway in 2001 with a degree in Civil Engineering he gained valuable work experience with Coffey Construction in Foynes, Co. Limerick and then with Mayo Co. Council.
Since 2003 he has worked on various engineering programmes, primarily water and sanitation, in Ethiopia, Afghanistan, North Korea, Sudan and Liberia.
He recently completed an MSc in Human Rights in UCD. His thesis was on the ‘Right to be Nomadic, with Focus on Irish Travellers’.
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Áine Magee
With Masters degrees in Human Rights Law and Humanitarian Action, Áine joined Plan Ireland in March 2010 as a Programme Officer supporting Plan’s work in West Africa with a specific focus on monitoring and evaluation and ensuring the effectiveness of Plan’s programmes.
Originally from Celbridge in Co. Kildare, Áine has recently returned from many years overseas where her adventures ranged from dolphin training in Hawaii and Paris to working as an extra on the famous Australian TV soap Home and Away! Áine also worked with the European Commission Humanitarian Office in Brussels and spent 18 months in South Sudan working with Trócaire.
A keen supporter of Gaelic games, Áine maintained her passion for GAA throughout her travels. She was a member of the Paris Gaels team who won the European Gaelic Football championship in 2007, and also was a member of the first ever European Camogie team in the same year. She also plays hockey and loves photography, karaoke and Wii tennis.
Programme Support Officer
Suzanne Walker
Suzanne joined the Plan Ireland team as a Programme Support Officer in January 2011. She is a passionate advocate for child rights and has volunteered with child-centred projects in Ireland and overseas.
Since completing her master’s degree in Development Studies in 2006, she has worked on overseas development programmes that have taken her to the Horn and East of Africa and India with organisations such as Trocaire. Prior to joining Plan, she worked in Ireland with Comhlamh promoting good practice in overseas volunteering.
Suzanne is particularly interested in working on improving the quality and effectiveness of long-term development programmes.
Business Development Coordinator
Aidan Leavy
A native of Westmeath, Aidan joined Plan Ireland in May 2011. A graduate in social sciences, Aidan was previously Director of International Service Ireland (ISI), supporting people with disabilities in West Africa and South America.
He has extensive experience in local and international development at grassroots and management level. Before returning to Ireland in 2007, he spent nine years working with grassroots organisations and local authorities in Central America. He worked with the Agency for Personnel Services Overseas (APSO) as Local Development Planning and Management Advisor with the indigenous Mayan Chorti tribe in Honduras in the aftermath of hurricane Mitch. He later worked as Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteer programme (UNV) in Guatemala focusing on volunteer management, democratisation and organisational development.
Although from Westmeath, he is passionate about hurling and also has a keen interest in cooking, film, mountain biking, travelling and salsa dancing (with two left feet!)
He is married to Marcela, his wife he met in Guatemala.
Child Rights & Advocacy Officer
Vanina Trojan
Vanina joined Plan in January 2011 in the capacity of Child Rights Advisor. Her responsibilities include ensuring a child rights-based approach to Plan’s international programming, undertaking advocacy in Ireland and at the international level, and carrying out research on relevant child rights issues.
Vanina holds an LLB in Law, and an LLM in International Human Rights Law from the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Her area of expertise is the provision of legal protection against child trafficking, labor exploitation, sexual abuse, domestic violence and other violations of children’s basic rights. Since 2006 she has worked as a legal researcher and a programme manager in South East Asia, Palestine and Uganda.
She has conducted numerous trainings/workshops, and published a number of reports on issues related to child protection.
Database Administrator
Derek Murphy
Derek brings a range of experience to the role ranging from application support, systems administration and IT Management in his 18 years since qualification. Having an extensive background working in both the private and not for profit sectors, Derek is well equipped to handle the challenges faced by cost sensitive organisations like Plan in successfully implementing and maintaining ICT technologies, policies and procedures.
A proud Dublin Northsider, Derek has ‘retired’ from his once extensive sporting activities and now carefully balances his spare time between a commitment to political activism and life with wife Vivienne and their two dogs.
